With
the announcement earlier in December that there was big trouble in Muppetland,
some lighthearted news came in the form of Kermit performing the Kermambo
dance in the latest MuppeToon at the MuppetWorld
website. However news articles continued to speculate that EM.TV
were ready to sell the Jim Henson Company and both Disney
and Viacom
were noted to be interested in aquiring the loveable characters. Muppet
fans weren't pleased when it was revealed that EM.TV had planned for Kermit
the Frog to pitch Mercedes cars to children.

FEBRUARY

This month
saw much speculation that HIT Entertainment - a fledgling British company
was going
to aquire the Muppets. They had announced earlier that they were about
to make a major aquisition that eventually came in the form of Barney
- the loveable (and annoying) purple Dinosaur. Later in the month EM.TV
agreed for Kirch to aquire a major stake in the ailing company in
an effort to save it.

MARCH

In
March, speculation continued as AOL
Time Warner joined the alleged line up of prospective buyers for the
Henson company. EM.TV officially
announced its intention to sell the Jim Henson Company only 11 months
after buying it. Reasons for the sale were that first half earnings from
JHC were lower than expected and that the German company was finding it
difficult to run the company from so far away. In fantastic news, Time-Life
Video released
45 episodes of the Muppet Show and fans eagerly added them to their
collections. Sesame Street was nominated for a massive 13 Emmy Awards.

APRIL

Speculation
continued this month as Variety asked "Would
you buy a used Muppet from this man?". Seeing as this man happened
to be Thomas Haffa, it was looking very unclear as to whether anyone would.
In brighter news Henson announced that the Hoobs show was looking successful
in the UK with 250 shows planned. EM.TV also announced plans to increase
Sesame Street merchandising in Europe. Fans went DVD crazy when it was
announced that the first two original Muppet
movies would be released on the digital format in June.

MAY

In May, the
main news came from EM.TV, who announced they had hired
investment bank Allen & Co. to help sell the Jim Henson Company.
Reports continued that Disney and Viacom would only be willing to pay
around $200-$300 million when EM.TV has originally paid $680 million.
Fans were overjoyed when it was announced that The Great Muppet Caper
would also be released on DVD in July. The company, New Kid Co. announced
the first
ever Muppet Gameboy Advance game Muppets Battle Pinball.

JUNE

Amazing news
came for Muppet fans in June when the Henson company and Creation Entertainment
announced
the first ever MuppetFest - a fan convention to be held in September.
Fans were also excited that a gala and auction would be held at the Henson
studios in order to raise money for charity. Sad news came when The
Kermit Channel went off the air throughout the world with no sign
of a return.

JULY

In July,
fans continued to speculate about the upcoming MuppetFest. People were
dismayed that announcements and scheduling from Creation Entertainment
were delayed. We also heard dubious claims as to the origins of the Swedish
Chef in the news article "Will the real Swedish
Chef please stand up?". Jerry Juhl disputed earlier claims that
had appeared via Reuters. We also heard plans for a year
long celebration for the 25th anniversary of The Muppet Show starting
with MuppetFest and the possibility of new television shows and movies.
Fans went crazy over new Igel collectables arriving in Europe. Items included
a plush Bunsen & Beaker, as well as a Kermit & Miss Piggy wedding
set.

AUGUST

In August,
the month was dominated by discussion about the upcoming MuppetFest. Many
fans had heard very little about the programme of events and spent long
hours speculating as to what might be happening. Various information made
its way onto the internet about possible events on the programme and everyone
was looking forward to a spectacular event. A new fansite for discriminating
doll wigglers arrived in the form of Tough
Pigs written by Danny Horn, best known for his work on MuppetZine,
a fan publication from the mid-nineties.

SEPTEMBER

In a terrible
month, the attrocities of September 11th occurred and eclipsed all else
going on. Fans were stunned, saddened and outraged. MuppetFest
was cancelled and this was announced in a letter from JHC CEO Charles
Rivkin on the official Henson website. Although many fans had trouble
rearranging plans and getting refunds for their travel, the majority understood
and agreed with the company's decision. The whole Muppet community was
both saddened and dissapointed. The main good news for the month came
when it was announced that Palisades would be releasing
Muppet action figures in 2002.

OCTOBER

While the
events of Septemeber 11th continued to be the main talk among Muppet fans,
happier news came in the form of Farscape
being renewed for a further two years. Speculation emerged that the
planned MuppetFest may be rescheduled for December or early 2002.

NOVEMBER

It was announced
that MuppetFest was back on and would now happen
on the weekend of December 8th and 9th. Muppet fans quickly rearranged
their travel schedules and made plans to enjoy a spectacular event. A
provisional itinery for the MuppetFest weekend was announced by Creation
Entertainment and fans were overjoyed, noting that it was far beyond their
original expectations. Pictures were released of Kermit and Piggy at the
Disney studios "Stars and Motor Cars" parade. Kermit also appeared
on "Children In Need" in the UK. Phillip Chapman and Cindy Harns,
two Muppet fans who met online and were affectionately known as Kermit
and Miss Piggy were married and looked forward to a happy life together.
On a more sinister note, Bert from Sesame Street was pictured alongside
the worlds most wanted man - Osama Bin Laden. Fans didnt know
whether to be dissapointed or relieved when it was announced that EM.TV
would not sell Henson until October 2002. The Muppets appeared on
Family Feud and failed miserably against the Dixie Chicks.

DECEMBER

This
month was dominated by the brilliant MuppetFest and many Muppet fans packed
their bags to head for Santa Monica. Gold ticket holders were originally
dissapointed that they would no longer be visiting the Henson studios
but when they saw a live Muppet show performed in front of their eyes
they didnt seem to mind too much. Fans returned after mingling with
their favorite performers full to the brim with stories
and photos of the fabulous weekend. The main news release came from
an interview by Disney chief Michael Eisner who announced
that the price tag for the Henson was too high. He said that the Disney
company were not in talks with EM.TV, but that they should give him a
call if they wanted. Great news for the UK when a boxed set of episodes
from The Muppet Show went on sale in the UK as well as the 2002 Muppet
Calendar, and costumed characters of Kermit and Miss Piggy turned on the
Walthamstow Christmas lights. We saw pictures of the Corgi UK Muppet Show
cars to be released in 2002 as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations.
Fraggle Rock fans celebrated the annual "Festival of the Bells"
chat on Muppet Central. The year was humorously topped off with Kermit
appearing on "Regis and Kelly" and fluffing his lines.

Fan site Muppet Central created by Phillip Chapman. Updates by Muppet
Central Staff. All Muppets, Bear characters are copyright
of The Muppets Studio. Sesame Street characters are copyright of Sesame
Workshop.
Fraggle Rock, Creature Shop and similar likenesses are copyright
of The Jim Henson Company.
Muppet Central is hosted by KnownHost.